A new campaign, VApril, encouraging people to smoke less through picking up vaping intends to fully launch next month. The initiative is organized by the UK Vaping Industry Association and is intended to help people make safer decisions regarding their health; while at the same time working to bolster the £1bn vaping sector.

This initiative is being organised by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), and the face of the campaign will be renowned TV personality, Dr Christian Jessen. “This will be the largest campaign ever run by the vaping industry and reflects how far the sector has come in a relatively short period of time,” said UKVIA director John Dunne.

“The challenge for the industry, government and the public health community is to get across the message that e-cigarettes are a very small risk compared to smoking and that nearly three million smokers are now vaping, with a significant number having switched over altogether. VApril aims to be the starting point for more smokers to quit their habit,” added Dunne.

“I am always amazed and disappointed to hear that we still have 7m smokers in this country and, according to PHE, around 40% of them have never tried vaping, said Jessen. Furthermore, more than half of the population don’t realise that vaping is a fraction of the risk of smoking.”

Organizers are instructing smokers to take the VApril three-step challenge, which is to start by take a Vaping Masterclass. During this time attendees are provided with an introduction to vaping, including an overview of popular devices and e-liquid flavors plus recommendations on starter products to help analog smokers make the switch.

Secondly, smokers are given a free six-page guide that includes tips on how to make the switch, information on the different nicotine strengths, suggestions on which vaping devices and components to use, plus some encouraging facts to help push you over the fence.

Finally, cigarette quitters are encouraged to be more social – sharing their experiences with their friends and family on social media using #Vapril and #Vaprilchallenge.